Sir 657. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS (JOHN HANCOCK) TO 1 LANCASTER 26 Septemr. 1777. I arriv'd last Even at this place, where I was honour'd with your Letter of 23d Inst. which I shall lay before Congress as soon as the whole of the Members arrive here which I Expect will be this Day.2... 658. CORNELIUS HARNETT TO THE GOVERNOR OF NORTH CAROLINA (RICHARD CASWELL).1 Sir LANCASTER Sepr. 27, 1777 I did myself the Honor of writing Your Excellency a few days ago from Philadelphia,' since which Congress have been obliged to Decamp, Genl How having by many different Maneouvers got between Our Army and the City, and can when he pleases take possession of it. But it seems his intention is to Come to another Battle with Our Army first. Congress intends to proceed to business this day. I can send Your Excellency no Newspapers as yet. Messrs. Burke and Penn are neither of them Arrived I expect them to-day.3 Dear Sir . 659. ELIPHALET DYER TO Joseph Trumbull.1 LANCASTER Septr. the 28th 1777 and by an express who came into the City about one o'clock in the morning of fryday the 19th Instant Informing the Enemy had passed the Schuylkill and was then on their full March for the City, noticing the Congress Members Immediately to leave the City, and that they had not a minute to spare tho this proved a mistake. You may depend upon it we were soon on the wing and made our flight with all speed to Trenton where we arrived early that day. from Thence we Journeyd to Bethlem and through Reading to Lancaster to which place we had agreed to adjourn Congress when there should be Need, but we only met there to adjourn to this place where we Open Congress this day.3 we thought it not best at this time to remove out of this State least in this [657]1 Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XVIII. 169. 2 See the Journals, Sept. 27; cf. nos. 654, 655, ante, no. 660, post. [658]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Emmet Coll., no. 1167; N. C. State Recs., XI. 636. 2 A letter to Governor Caswell from Burke, Penn, and Harnett, Sept. 17, is in N. C. State Recs., XI. 625. 8 Sept. 30, Harnett again wrote to Governor Caswell: "Messrs. Burke and Penn are not yet arrived, but I expect them every hour." N. C. State Recs., XI. 638. See no. 651, ante. [659] Conn. Hist. Soc., Joseph Trumbull Papers. 2 There is no apparent grammatical connection between this sentence and that which precedes. Dyer had spoken of Washington's withdrawal before Howe, to replenish his supply of ammunition, which had been spoiled by the rain. 3 In the margin is written: "York Town: October 1st." The precise division between that which was written at Lancaster and that written at York is not apparent. See no. 660, post. Critical Situation of affairs there should be a total defection of this State the Enemy are now in possession of their Capital which they entered on fryday last with a party of about 15 hundred and with their main body are fortifying on the heights near German Town. . . . . [P. S.]. . . . we shall Immediately enter upon the Confederation, taxation and if possible to retrieve the sinking State of our Currency Congress have resolved that the Intrest on the loan office Certificates past and future to be paid by bills of Excge drawn on Our Commisrs in France at 6 pr Ct 660. THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.1 Sir, YORK-TOWN IN PENNSYLVANIA Sepr. 30th. 1777. Since my departure from Philadelphia, I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favrs. to the 23d. Inst. I met the Congress on Saturday last at Lancaster, and upon consultation it was judged most prudent to adjourn to this place, where we now are, and where we can deliberate and prosecute business without interruptions and where your despatches will meet us.2 I have just now receiv'd by general Gates' Aid de Camp, (Major Troup) sundry letters, copies of which I have the honour to enclose to you, by which it appears that our affairs in the northern department wear a favourable aspect, and I hope soon to transmit you an account of an issue to the contest in that quarter. 3 I wish soon to receive the most pleasing accounts from you. we are in daily expectation of agreeable tidings, and that genl. Howe is totally reduced. I beg leave to refer you to the inclosed papers, and am with the utmost respect and esteem Sir, [P. S.]. . . Your most obedt and very hble. Servt. 4 See the Journals, Sept. 9, 10, and nos. 627, 631, 636, ante. Cf. nos. 662, 671, 701, post. In regard to the Articles of Confederation, see nos. 616, 631, 649, ante, nos. 671, 679, post. [660] Library of Congress, Letters to Washington, XCI. 45; Letters to Washington, (ed. Sparks), I. 436. 2 Cf. nos. 654, note 2, 657, ante, no. 666, post. 66 Henry Laurens wrote to John Laurens, Sept. 30: Congress have been hurried from place to place and no business done for many days past. I hope we shall begin anew tomorrow and be permitted to deliberate without further interruption, h[ope] founded on the anticipated success of General Washington." (Long Island Hist. Soc., Laurens Papers.) Cf. nos. 649, 659, ante, no. 698, post. 3 According to the Journals (Oct. 1), there were two letters of Gates dated Sept. 22. Only one such, however, has been found. The original is in Papers Cont. Cong., no. 154, vol. I., f. 262, and a copy, in the writing of Hancock, is in the Washington Papers, XCI. 48. Other enclosures were: Lincoln to Gates, Sept. 14; Gates to Lincoln, Sept. 15; Gates to Governor Trumbull and others, Sept. 17; Lincoln to Gates, Sept. 17; Gates to Lincoln, Sept. 17; John Brown to Lincoln, Sept. 18; Gates to Lincoln, Sept. 19; Lincoln to Gates, Sept. 20. Maj. Robert Troup, who brought the despatches from Gates, was rewarded, Oct. 4, with a lieutenant-colonelcy. See nos. 662, 663, 671, post. My Best Friend, 661. JOHN ADAMS TO MRS. ADAMS.1 YORK TOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, Tuesday, 30 September, 1777. It is now a long time since I had an opportunity of writing to you, and I fear you have suffered unnecessary anxiety on my account. In the morning of the 19th instant, the Congress were alarmed in their beds by a letter from Mr. Hamilton, one of General Washington's family, that the enemy was in possession of the ford over the Schuylkill and the boats, so that they had it in their power to be in Philadelphia before morning. The papers of Congress belonging to the Secretary's office, the War office, the Treasury office etc., were before sent to Bristol. The President, and all the other gentlemen were gone that road, so I followed with my friend Mr. Marchant, of Rhode Island, to Trenton, in the Jerseys. We stayed at Trenton until the 21st, when we set off to Easton, upon the forks of Delaware. From Easton we went to Bethlehem, from thence to Reading, from thence to Lancaster, and from thence to this town, which is about a dozen miles over the Susquehannah river. Here Congress is to sit. In order to convey the papers with safety, which are of more importance than all the members, we were induced to take this circuit, which is near a hundred and eighty miles, whereas this town, by the direct road, is not more than eighty-eight miles from Philadelphia. This tour has given me an opportunity of seeing many parts of this country which I never saw before.2 This morning Major Troup arrived here with a large packet from General Gates, containing very agreeable intelligence, which I need not repeat, as you have much earlier intelligence from that part than we have. I wish affairs here wore as pleasing an aspect. But alas, they do not. I shall avoid every thing like history, and make no reflections. However, General Washington is in a condition tolerably respectable, and the militia are now turning out from Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania in small numbers. All the apology that can be made for this part of the world is, that Mr. Howe's march from Elk to Philadelphia, was through the very regions of passive obedience. The whole country through which he passed is inhabited by Quakers. There is not such another body of Quakers in all America, perhaps not in all the world. 662. WILLIAM WILLIAMS TO THE GOVERNOR OF CONNECTICUT (JONATHAN TRUMBULL).1 Hond Sir YORK 30 Sepr. 1777 Majr. Troup, G Gates's Aid De Camp, came in this day with Letters from him etc. which seem to exhillerate the Spirits of Congress, [661]1 Familiar Letters, p. 314. 2 Cf. nos. 650, 659, ante. 3 Cf. no. 660, ante, no. 662, post. [662]1 N. Y. Pub. Lib., Emmet Coll., no. 2464. quite enow, etc. indeed They were not too much depresd before, strongly hoping and expecting a reverse.2. I hope a heavy Tax will tend to reduce things to order, which Congress will certainly recommend very soon. a Comte had been appointed to prepare, apportion etc at P. but we were obliged to decamp before it was brot in. tho nothing but success against our Enemy, will effectually extricate us from the Distresses respecting our Currency etc. into which we are plunged.3. . 663. DANIEL ROBERDEAU TO THE PRESIDENT OF PENNSYLVANIA (THOMAS WHARTON, JR.).1 YORK TOWN, Octr 1, 1777. Sir, General Gates's letter, with enclosures to Congress per express this day are referred to the Committee of Intelligence for publication and will be sent this afternoon to Lancaster for that purpose, therefore transcripts are less necessary, but I would furnish them for the satisfaction of Council, if I was not very unwell, as thereby they might be furnished with the news a few hours sooner.2. Dear Sir 664. ELBRIDGE GERRY TO JOSEPH TRUMBULL.1 YORK IN PENNSYLVANIA, Octr 2d 1777 I recd yours of the 16th Sepr., and not having attended the Treasury of late from the Want of Health, was unacquainted with the Order of the Board before the rect. of your Letter. I think that your Request is reasonable, and as philadelphia is now in the Hands of the Enemy, that you cannot be accommodated in any other Place where Congress shall meet, were there no other objections to the removal of the Commiss.; but of these there are undoubtedly many, and such as cannot be easily answered. when the Board meets I shall propose a Reversal of the order.2 The Loss of philadelphia was unexpected, and had it been in any other State than Pennsylvania, Delaware or Maryland, I question whether it would have happened. but as General Washington's army will be reinforced in a Day or two with 3000 of the Virginia Militia, 1500 Contin. 2 Cf. no. 660, ante. 3 See the Journals, Sept. 10, Oct. 11; also the proceedings on the letter of Stephen Hopkins, etc., Aug. 18, Sept. 10, Oct. 27, Nov. 13, 22; cf. also the proceedings on the ninth article of the Confederation, Oct. 8, 9-11, 13, 14. Cf. no. 659, ante, nos. 671, 701, post. [663]1 Pa. Arch., first ser., V. 639. 2 See no. 660, note 3, ante. Gates's letter of Sept. 22 was referred, Oct. 2, to the board of war, but the Journals do not mention its reference to the committee of intelligence, for publication. [664] Conn. State Lib., Joseph Trumbull Papers, no. 73. 2 The order referred to is that of June 11, requiring the commissary-general of purchases to keep his office in the place where Congress shall sit. It does not appear that the order was reversed. Cf. no. 676, post. Troops from peeks Kill, and 1000 of the Jersey militia, I hope it will be soon recovered. The new Commissaries do not appear to be well acquainted with their Business, the army having been one whole Day without provisions. I fear the Consequences of these Alterations; which you well know were contrary to my repeated Remonstrances." I congratulate You on the agreable prospects for the northern Department and am with much Esteem yours, Sincerely E GERRY Colo Trumbull. 665. THE PRESIDENT of Congress to the MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL.1 YORK TOWN: PENNSYLVANIA. Octr 3d. 1777. Gentlemen, Your Favour of the 17th ulto. enclosing a Copy of a letter from Mr Loring Commissary of Prisoners, relative to the Exchange of Doctor Church for Doctr McHenry, was duely received and laid before Congress: In Consequence of which I am to inform you, they immediately and in the strongest Terms, expressed their Disapprobation of the Proposal, and put their Negative upon it.2 I have the Honour to be with the greatest Respect Gentlemen, Your most obed and very hble Servt JOHN HANCOCK Presidt The Honble Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay. Sir 666. JAMES DUANE TO GEORGE CLINTON.' YORK TOWN, PENNA Oct 3d 1777 I wrote to your Excellency from Lancaster covering a copy of Gen Washingtons Letter to Congress which explains the causes of the loss of Philadelphia. I wish those dispatches may have got safe to hand. Congress at their first meeting at Lancaster adjourned to York town 22 miles farther Southward, and 10 from the Susquehanna. Lancaster they found crowded and in other respects exceptionable. Here we are at least sufficiently retired and can deliberate without interruption.2. 3 Cf. nos. 726, 748, 757, 759, post. [665]1 Mass. Arch., CXCVIII. 196; Library of Congress, Papers Cont. Cong., no. 58, pt. II., f. 279; ibid., Mass. Recs., Letters, 1777-1778. 2 See the Journals, Oct. 2 (p. 758). [666] Harvard Univ. Lib., Sparks MSS., XXIX. 443 (copy); Jour. N. Y. Prov. Cong., II. 489 (without the name of the writer). 2 Cf. no. 660, ante. Samuel Chase wrote to Governor Johnson Oct. 3: "Our Confederacy is to be resumed this day." (Md. Hist. Soc., Gilmor Papers, Div. 3.) |